Notes From the Road

• School Zone Safety

  The end of summer means millions of Texas children have or will soon return to school. Drivers (on the job or off the job) need to be extra cautious as school zones become more active.

• Proper Hydration

  When it is as hot as it is our bodies lose lots of water when working in the outdoors. Water is important to the body as it keeps the body from overheating. The main way the body discards heat in warm weather is through sweat. As sweat evaporates, it cools the tissues beneath. Lots of sweating reduces the body's water level, and this loss of fluid affects normal bodily functions.

• Proper Lifting

  In our daily lives, both at work and at home, we are always lifting or moving something. Quite often we think that we can lift or move something that is way too heavy or bulky and that is what puts us at a high risk of injury. Back strains and strained muscles are among the most common injuries affecting our work and social lives so it is important to refresh ourselves on how to properly lift objects.

• Fatigue. You're More Than Just Tired

  People often make light of how little sleep they get; an over-worked, over-tired condition has become the norm for many. But a good night's sleep is not just a novelty, it's a necessity. The effects of fatigue are far-reaching and can have an adverse impact on all areas of our lives.